Breaking News: Tragic news follows one after another from the collapsed building in Gebze

A 5-story building in the Güzeller neighborhood of Kocaeli's Gebze district collapsed for reasons yet to be determined. It was learned that the collapsed building was close to a metro construction site.

While there was great panic in the surrounding area, fire, medical, and police teams were dispatched to the scene upon notification.

The image of the building before it collapsed:

STATEMENT FROM THE MAYOR OF GEBZE

Gebze Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz connected to Sözcü TV and provided information regarding the latest situation. Büyükgöz reported that the building was 5 stories high. Stating that there was a possibility of 5 people being under the rubble, Büyükgöz noted that the building's occupancy permit was obtained in 2012. Büyükgöz said the building was 10-15 meters away from the metro construction site.

Büyükgöz's statements are as follows:

"Our 5-story building has collapsed. There is a pharmacy on the ground floor. There are a total of 2 families living above it, with a total population of 7 people, but since 2 of them are the property owners and are in their hometown, their apartment is empty. There are a total of 5 people who are likely to be in the building. Our rescue efforts regarding them are continuing."

1 LIFELESS BODY RECOVERED

Communication had been established with one person in the rubble. In the latest statement, it was reported that the lifeless body of 1 person was recovered during the search and rescue operation.

Deputy Minister of Interior Mehmet Aktaş stated in his explanation at the scene that the recovered lifeless body belonged to a young boy. Aktaş said, "A sound was heard from the rubble, and it is assessed that the sound belongs to a woman."

According to the information obtained, it was determined that the child whose lifeless body was recovered was 12-year-old Emir Bilir. Search and rescue efforts to reach the other four members of the Bilir family are continuing at full speed.

It was learned that the lifeless body of one more person was recovered during the work under the rubble. However, it was reported that the identity of this person has not yet been determined.

Making a statement regarding the incident, Gebze Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz pointed out that the collapsed building was located near the metro construction site. Büyükgöz stated, "Technical examinations will reveal why the building collapsed; it is not possible to say anything clear at the moment."

Büyükgöz also emphasized that the collapsed structure was not an illegal building and had an occupancy permit.

3 CHILDREN REMOVED

So far, 3 children have been removed from the building, which collapsed for an unknown reason in the early hours of the morning and where the 5-member Bilir family was also trapped under the rubble. 18-year-old Dilara Bilir was rescued alive from the rubble. Dilara's siblings lost their lives. Search efforts for the mother and father are continuing.

News Source: İHA